Closure for shoe uppers



M. E. BENDELARI CLOSURE FOR SHOE UPPERS Sept. 20,1927. 7 1,643,108

Filed Nov. 23, 1926 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 gwmzntoz.

MARY [I BE/VDHA/P/ Sept. 20,1927.

M. E. BENDELARI I CLOSURE FOR SHOE UPPERS Filed Nbv. 25. 1926 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 M. E.- BENDELARI CLOSURE FOR SHOE UPPERS Sept. 20 1927. 1,643,108

Filed Nov. 23. 1926 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 {dd/Gummy Patented Sept. 20, 1927.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

MARY EVELYN BENDELABI, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

CLOSURE FOR SHOE UPPERS.

Application filed November 23, 1926. Serial No; 150,328.

This invention .relates to improvements I in'the Closures of'apparel, and more particularly to the type especially adapted for shoes.

One. of the essentialobjects in view is the Another object is the provision of a closure of such an adjustable character as to readily adapt it to the complete comfort and ease, of the wearer acrossthe instep or other part of the foot covered by the closure. Vith these and other objects in view as will in part hereinafter become apparent and in part be stated, the invention comprises certain novel constructions, combinations and arrangements of parts as subsequently specified and claimed. v

In the accompanying drawings, 7 Figure 1 is a perspective view of a shoe embodying the features of the present invention. Figu're 2 is a plan View of the closure structure and surrounding parts detached and in a flattened condition, the closure being in its closed position. 7

Figure 3 is a view similar to Figure 9. with the closure somewhat relaxed.

I Figure'4 is a view similar to Figure l of a slightly modified embodiment.

1 Figure 5 is a'view similar to Figure 20f the embodiment seen in Figure 4. Figure 6 is a View similar to Figure l of a further embodiment. V

v Figure 7 is a view similar to Figure 2 of a still further embodiment, the fragments of the body of the shoeibeing omitted. I l Figure 8 is alview similar to Figure 7 of further embodiment of the invention.

Figure 9 is a detailed section taken on the plane indicated by line 9-9 of Figure 8.

Referring to the drawings bynumerals,

no 1 indicates generally the body of a shoe 'inclusive of the several parts into which the upper of a shoe is. commonly divided by those, familiar with the shoe industry. The upper or body 1 thus includes the counter or quarter2, the vamp 3, and the upper closure whether the closure be located immediately across the, instep as shown or otherwise. Said closure is made up of a series of lacings 4, 4, and a similar series of lacings 5, 5, .crossing the lacings 4 obliquely andinterlaced therewith substantially after the form of a basket weave. The said lacings 4 and 5 may be formed from and integral with the body of the'shoe or may be otherwise constructed, and will usually assume the character of straps, so

that the word strap willbe utilized hereinafter in referring to these parts, although, of course, a ribbon, strand, or stripof any kind suitable for the purpose may be utilized and should be considered in the interpretation of the appended claims as the full mechanicalequivalent of the strap or straps therein named.

As seen in Figures 1, 2, and 3 of the drawings, the straps 4 and 5 are formedintegral with the material of the body of the shoe, and the straps of each -series or group respectfully terminate at their free ends in an anchorage piece or tab 6, which may be an appropriate strip of leather, or other material,correspondingto the material of the straps 4 secured to the respective straps and provided with an eye 7 adapted to engage an appropriate button or other fastener 8 carried by the body of the shoe. The button 8, in each instance, is adjusted to the comfort of the wearer, and the closure formed of the. straps 4 may be, accordingly, varied as required. The interlacing of the straps 4-and 5 is preferably carried out, as seen in. detail in Figures 2 and '3, but other interlacings be utilized as found desirable, one essential advantage of this arrangement being the guiding and retention of the straps in their functioning. Another ad- Vantage arises from the fact that the several interlaced straps afford relative support for each other, and proportionally prevent curling or other unslightly or undesirable dislocation or derangement; The

looseningof the closure'and the tightening. thereof are accomplished'with a maximum of ease and minimum of time. A single point of. purchase for the fastening of one group of straps is all that is required, and the principle of operation will be the same even though a greater or less number of straps be employed than illustrated and even though the extent of the opening in the upper be increased to correspond to a hightop shoe or even a boot."

In use, the closure assumes the position seen in F'gures l and 2, but, when it becomes desirable to remove the shoe, the buttons 8 are released through the eyes '7, and groups of straps comprising the closure are relaxed to the position seen in Figure 3. Obviously, a greater relative movement of the straps may be acecunplishcd it further opening is needed for ease of remo 'al and introduction of the foot. It will be observed that in moving to the relaxed position. the straps of each group more as a group longitudinally oi the straps off the other group, each strap at each group moving edgewise and playing in and out according; to the ii'iterlaoing or weave of the closure.

Obviously, the buttons 8 will be located in each particular instance according to the need and comfort of the individual wearer and will be so placed that, when the tabs 6 engage the buttons. the groups of straps l and will snugly. neatly, and comfortably enclose the en 'aged part of the foot of the wearer, the instep in the instance shown in Figure 1.

In Figures 4t and 5, I have illustrated a rather embodiment oi? the invention in which the same principle is utilized. dill erinn chiefly from the embodiment: seen in Figure 1 in that the oblique cross a of the upper closure of Figure 1 is a rraneed "for the several straps to extend on an upward incline while the tree ends ol the closure structm'e seen in Figures i and 5 extend generally dowliward. In accomplishinc this result, the body 1 of the shoe is formed with a series of straps 4; interlaced with cooperatingr straps 5, each group of straps tern'iinatine' in an attachine strip or tab 6 provided with an eye 7 designed to engage the retaining button 8 arranged at an appropriate point on the body of the shoe. As clearly seen in F igi'urcs l and the two groups of straps have their movable or free ends e5:- tendiu generally in a downward direction, so that, in operation, when the securing; tabs 6 are pulled for drawing the closure tight. the pressure is exerted downward about the sides of the shoe body in the general direction or the length of the straps as distinpguished from a pull upward and in a rearward direction when securing the tabs 6 of the structure seen in Figure 1.

In Figure (3 is illustrated a further embodiment in which the opening; of the upper or shoe body 1 is closed substantially after the manner seen in Figure 4, but (littering there- .t'rom in that the several straps .1- and 5 are attached at 2 at the rear ofthe shoe body and brought forward therefrom across the foot of the wearer just above the instep of the wearer instead oi? springing from the middle portion of the body of the shoe. In the embodiment seen in Figure 6. the open ing in the upper is theoreti -a1 only, because the body of. the shoe 1 is l'llllSi'lUCl like a pump and the interlacing straps l" and El serve as a closure in the sense ol allording anchorage to the body of the shoe near the rear thereof and at the sides where the but tons t l are engaged by the eyes 7 of the attaching tabs (5 of the respective straps t and a". W hen the tabs ti" are released from butttms P. the movement 0 t the straps relative to each other is substantially the same as that heretofore stated, save that the interhating is single only, and, therefore, not of the complete form of: basket weave. 13y sii'igrle in relcnrriup to the lacing is meant that the crossing 0t any one strap of any one group relative to the other group is EILCOHP plished without z'ictual weaving. For 0 ample. the tlpjltllll()flit strz'tp *ft merely overlies all oil the straps 5", the intermediate strap at underlies the upl'iorn'iost strap 5 and overlies the other two strays 5, and the lowermost strap a? underlies the upper and intermediate straps 5 and overlies the lowest strap Z3".

in Figure 8 is seen a still. further modified embodiment of closure. the closure alone being illustrated. In this figure, the straps l and 5 are iliterlaced alter the manner of the straps l and 5, except that the tern'iinal tabs 'i'" of the straps il and 5" are at the lower ends oi the straps and are designed to be attached to the body of: the shoe at the opposite sides of the opening in the upper. 3y this :u-ranc'ement ol? the tabs 7', the OpllOSllQ/ ends oi? the straps from those one-a5;- ina' the tabs :1 re preferably leitt integral with that which constitutes the -fasteningpiece 10. The said fastening piece may be detach-- ably anchored to the body of the shoe in any appropriate and well known or acceptable manner, as, for example. by the provision at an eye or eyes ll adapted toene age appropriately located. buttons carried by the body of the shoe. in the closing and releasing: o t the seem-inn means, seen in Figure T. the movement or the straps relative to each other is substmitially the same as the operation of the parts as seen in Fig rure l. V

In Figure 8 is illustrated a turther enibodiment in which 1 imlicatcs the body of the shoe having a closure made up otthe groups of st aps l" and 5 extending from and formed integral with the material of the body and terminating); in the attaching tabs 6 having the eyes 7 adapted to engage the securing); buttons or Fasteners 8. The form ol interlacing ol the straps t and 5 is the same as interlacing ol the straps l and 5, the attaching ends at the straps, however, uniting! in a single tab instead of being independent as are the straps .1 and 5. The straps et and 5 also are distinguished from straps 1 and 5 in being straight ii'istead o'lf arcuate. Otherwise, the structure mechanically the same, except that, for pur- Ill) poses of finish and for protection of the straps, the material of the body 1 is extended at each side of the opening 13 upwardly to form cover strips 12, 12, overlying the respective groups of straps l and 5. The overlying or protecting strips orplates 12, 12, may terminate, as preferred,but are preferably extended downward inside of the groups of straps 4 and 5, and appropriately attached to the body 1, so that each part 12 is, in fact a complete loop through which the respective group 4 or 5 is passed. As the operation is substantially identical with that of the structure seen in Figure 6, the same will be obvious, and it will be noted that the covering strips or plates 12 are free to flex, as indicated in dotted lines, when the closure straps are released.

It. will of course, be understood that the several straps may be formed integral or stitched to the respective parts of the shoe body, and the shoe body may be constructed in any conventional or improved form while incorporating the invention herein disclosed.

What is claimed is:

1. The combination, 'with a shoe upper having an opening, of a group of straps eX- tending from one side of the opening across the same, and a similar group of straps extending from the other side of the opening across the opening and across the first-mentioned straps and lying in face contacttherewith, each strap of each group being interwoven with the straps of the other group and lying across at least two of such straps and being free and adapted for edgewise sliding movement relative to said other group.

2. A closure for a shoe upper comprising a plurality of groups of straps crossing each other, and means for simultaneously shifting the straps relative to each other, each strap of each group being interwoven with the straps of the other group and lying across at least two of such straps and being free and adapt ed for independent movement relative to said other group.

3. A closure for a shoe upper comprising a plurality of groups of straps crossing each other, the individual straps of one group being laced through and relative to and woven across a plurality of the straps of the other group while leaving the groups free for longitudinal movement.

4:. A closure for a shoe upper comprising a plurality of groups of straps crossing each other and interlaced into the form substantially of a basket weave, each group being movable relative to the other for varying the area of the opening of the shoe upper.

' 5. The combination, with a shoe upper having an opening, of a group of straps connected at one side of the upper, and a second group of similar straps connected at the other side of the upper and crossing the first group at said opening. the groups being 'in-' terwoven and relatively shiftable for varying the effective area of the opening. 6. The combination, with the body of an article of apparel, of a closure therefor comprising a plurality of groups of straps crossing and intervovenwith each other in condition for relative sliding movement, each individual strap lying in face contact with a plurality of other straps at the places of crossing the same, and each strap being free and adapted for edgewise and longitudinal sliding movement relative to the other straps with which it is interwoven.

7. A closure for a shoe upper comprising a group of straps adapted to extend from one side of an upper opening, a similar group adapted to extendfrom the opposite side of said opening and having each strap of the second group arranged to lie across the first-mentioned group and interwoven with at least two of the straps of the first-mentioned group while left free for edgewise and longitudinal movement independently of the straps in which it is interwoven, means connecting the free ends of one group, and means connecting the free ends of the other group for causing each group to move as a unit.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature.

MARY EVELYN BENDELARI. 

